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Grains in Herby Buttermilk
The herbed sauce in this grain dish gets a double hit of punchy dairy: Not as sharp as other acidic ingredients, buttermilk lends a unique tang and yogurt brings body and richness.
Fragrant Mixed Herb and Flatbread Salad
The salad works best with strips of Persian flatbread, but plain tortillas work just as well. The addition of golpar, with its citrusy aroma, really lifts this dish, accentuating the sweetness of the pomegranates and adding a wonderful depth of flavor, so try and track some down if you can.
Yogurt and Persian Shallot Dip
This lovely, simple dish is great to have in your fridge at all times. It adds a wonderful, distinctive flavor to any dish it accompanies.
Cassoulet Toast
This isn't really cassoulet, but it is very, very good! Cut into little bars as a pre-dinner bite or serve one toast per person alongside a crisp salad of bitter greens for lunch.
Crispy Tofu Balls
This recipe is a game-changer for people who think they don't like tofu. To get the right balance between moisture and texture, we provide three techniques for removing excess liquid.
Chickpea and Chorizo Tostadas
Mashing some chickpeas into the sizzling chorizo adds heft while keeping this meal light on the meat
How to Skip Shucking (But Keep Eating) Oysters at Home
Oven-roasting oysters just until they pop open means all the fun and romance of oysters on the half shell with no shucking knife or skills required.
Roasted Oysters With Warm Butter Mignonette
Quickly roasting oysters in a hot oven pops the shells apart so they can be opened the rest of the way by hand, no shucking skills required.
Broiled Goat Cheese Toasts With Marinated Greens
This simple appetizer is a hit every time due in large part to the vast appeal of warm cheesy things.
Soy-Braised Chicken Wings
Dark soy sauce along with regular soy sauce is what gives these wings their rich color. We like to use all flats—arguably the best part of the wing!—but a mix with drumettes or whole wings works too.
Mala Fried Peanuts
Shelled raw peanuts are easy to find at Asian markets, health food stores, and other specialty food stores.
Bean Lavash Triangles
Serve this dish of mashed beans wrapped in flatbread and pan-fried until crisp as a appetizer, or alongside a big green salad for lunch or dinner.
Pine Nut and White Bean Dip
Toasting the pine nuts until they’re properly golden brown to the center and not just on the surface is key in coaxing out maximum flavor. That said, pine nuts are expensive and can burn, so keep a close eye on them as they cook.
Tonnato Deviled Eggs
Wake up deviled eggs with a bright and briny tonnato-inspired filling. Top with crispy fried capers and salmon roe for extra salty pop.
Spicy Chickpea Poppers
Take crispy chickpeas to the extreme with this recipe of battered, fried garbanzos spiked with Thai basil, Sichuan peppercorns, and a host of fragrant spices including cumin and five-spice powder.
Smoked Trout Croquettes
These bite-size mashed potato croquettes are filled with smoked trout, mozzarella, Parmesan, and chives.
Smoked Salmon Tartare
If you love beef tartare but don’t love the idea of leaving a bowl of raw beef out at a cocktail party, this recipe is for you.
Vanilla Butter Anchovy Toasts
Anchovy lovers: This one’s for you. The combination of vanilla butter and anchovies is the perfect combination of sweet and salty.
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47 Quick and Easy Appetizers and Hors d'Oeuvres for Your Holiday Party
Have actual fun at your own party by simplifying the snacks.
Oysters With Balsamic
Use the best balsamic you can afford for this simple yet refined appetizer.